Welt turning and fabric take-up mechanism for straight knitting machines



March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ET AL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES 14 shee ts sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 m \Sr E QJQNN INVENTORS:

m m D e 0 m S J r m m m m T A March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ETAL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 INVENTTJ RS: jei'e r JSc/MeiisZ'er &.

ax E. Efle/i' BY we a? L A TTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ET AL 2,631,445

' WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet s a 51- INVENTORS:

53 Peter J.5'(/70i7.9ff&

A TTORNEYS.

Mam}! 1953 P J. SCHOENSTER ETAL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,INVENTORS5. Pejgrl i e/10 m? &

- ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ET AL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM I FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 O 14? o\ u D l 1 i 141 150 INVENTORS:

Pezer Jaime/1.9867 & $1.2: 5155f? 14a 7 MA X L A TTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ET AL v WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 (52 ATTORNEYS.

m m m N I Pezeri Sc/mensier (E.

hul

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ET AL 2,531,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS: 155 PezerJSc/mensier &

ATTORNEYS.

March 7, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ETAL 2,531,445

WELT TURNING AND. FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 YINVENTORS': P ezer J Jaime/232 67 6.

BY wfw A TTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. .1. SCHOE NSTER ETAL WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANI FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 March 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER AL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE- MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 l4 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTORS: PeZerJScfiaensfer &.

BY "@Zffi A TTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHQENSTER ETAL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES l4 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Jan. 22, 1951 INVENTORS: PeierJScfiaefiszgr 42.

ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ETAL WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 1-4 Sheets-Sheet l2 FIG-.25. H0

FIG: 22

1 INVENTORS Peienl Scfiaeiisi'er A5.

Ma y E. E

BY MA ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. 504 NS' I'ER ETA 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND RIC TAKE-UP M ANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 l4 Sheets-Sheet 15 Flam.

- INVIENTORS: Pa 1 e r JJc/memier &.

ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 P. J. SCHOENSTER ETAL 2,631,445

WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 22, 1951 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 INVENTORS: Peer liegflaemzer J2. c

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 WELT TURNING AND FABRIC TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR STRAIGHT KNIT- TING MACHINES Peter J. Schoenster, Teaneck, and Max E. Ebert,

West New York, N. J assignors to Alfred Hofmann & 00., West New York, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application January 22, 1951, Serial No. 207,124

11 Claims.

This invention relates to welt turning and fabric take up mechanism for' straight knitting machines of the Cotton type such as are ordinarily employed in the commercial production of full-fashioned hosiery and the like.

The present invention is concerned with welt closing mechanism of the general character disclosed in U. S. Patents Nos. 2,303,412, granted to F. M. Wachtler et al. on December 1, 1942, 2,363,000 granted to A. Hofmann et al. on November l, 1944, 2,396,263 granted to said Hofmann et al. on March 12, 1946, and 2,401,531, granted to F. M. Wachtler et al. on June 4, 1946. The chief aim of our invention is to simplify and to generally improve such mechanism with a view toward securing more accurate and reliable performance therefrom and reducing the manual manipulations involved. Another aim of our invention is to provide a welt turning and fabric take-up mechanism having the fore' going attributes, which can be incorporated in standard makes of flat knitting machines without necessitating any structural changes in them and'without interfering in any way with their normal mode of operation.

How the foregoing and other objects and attendant advantages are realized in practice will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary broken out view in front elevation of a straight multi-section fashioned stocking knitting machine conveniently embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the machine taken as indicated by the angled arrows 11-11 in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 3 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows III-III in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in plan section taken as indicated by the angled arrows IV-IV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows V-V in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 6 is a plan view looking as indicated by the angled arrows VI-VI in Fig. 5. r

Fig. 7 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIIVII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8, is a plan section taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIIIVIII in Fig. 7.

r Fig. 9 is across section taken as indicated by the angled arrows LX-IX in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows X[XI in Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in top plan looking as indicated by the angled arrows XII-XII in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary broken out view in top plan looking as indicated by the angled arrows XIII-XIII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in top plan generally like Fig. 13 but with portions shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 14a is a fragmentary view in section taken as indicated by the angled arrows in XIVaXIVa in Fig. 14.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail view in cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows XV-XV in Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view in top plan looking as indicated by the angled arrows XVI-XVI in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a view like Fig. 15 with certain of the parts differently positioned.

Fig. 18 is a cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows XVIIIXVIII in Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a view like Fig. 18 with certain of the parts differently positioned.

Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are perspective views of various parts embodied in the mechanisms of the machine.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section of one of the ware or take-up rollers of the machine.

Fig. 26 is a detail cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows XXVI-XXVI in Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a detail view in cross section taken as indicated by the angled arrows XXVIIXXVII in Fig. 26. I

Fig. 28 is a view in end elevation of the means relied upon for imparting rotary motion to the take-up rollers of the machine.

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary view in cross section showing the welt bar in hook up position relative to the knitting elements of the machine.

Figs. 30-36 are views like Fig. 29, showing successive relative positions assumed by the welt bar and the knitting instrumentalities durin Welt closing.

Fig. 37 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 3, showing a modification; and

Fig. 38 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows XXXVIIIXXXVIII in Fig. 3'7.

With more specific reference first more particularly to Figs. 1-4 and 8-13 of the drawings. the numeral I designates the main longitudinally-extending cam shaft of the machine,

arms 83, as just explained, a roller stud projection 99 on another fixed arm 9I on shaft 84 engages into the cam hook of a latch element 92 which is pivoted at 93 on bed 3 and is subject to the influence of a spring 94. The function of element 92 is to yieldingly impart additional movement to arms 63 at the completion of their inward swing and thereby depress and impose a slight tension upon the welt fabric F as shown in Fig. 17. Upon subsequent retraction of the arms 83, the elements 92 yield to displacement, as permitted by the spring 94 for release of: the roller arm 9|. Also secured to shaft 94 (see Figs. 18 and 19) are forked levers 95, each having one of its tines prolonged and curved as at 96 for camming action with a lateral projection 91 at the distalend of one of the arms 65'on shaft 63.

After the formation and closing of the welt, and during the completion of the stocking blanks, the websare drawn off by ware roller I99 of which there is one provided for each blank. Except, as presently pointed out, the mechanism herein shown for actuating the ware rollers I99 is generally similar to that disclosed in Patent 2,396,263 since it comprises a longitudinally-extending shaft I9I which is rotative in fixed bearing brackets I92 on the transverse frames 2 and on which said rollers are mounted, see Fig. 7. In accordance with our invention, each roller I99 is constructed with a wooden body I93 (see Figs. 25, 26) to the oppositeends of which are secured, by means of screws I94, metallic heads I95 which are in turn secured, by means of set screws I96, to shaft I9I. Freely mounted on shaft I9I, are disks III'I having peripheral flanges I9 Ia to partially overlap the heads I95, the collars shown at I98 serving to prevent axial displacement of said disks relative to the body of roller I 99. The disks I91 are machined as at I99, for connection by means of screws H9, of the stepped ends III of bars I I 2 having lateral waysI I 3 for the guidance of flexible metallicxtapes I I5. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the guide bars II2 extend inward of the machine for support horizontally by the bed 3 whereto they are secured by clamp screws H6. The rear end portions of tapes 'I I5 are bent laterally and retroverted as at In, in Fig. 26 for anchorage in radial slits H8 in the peripheries of the disks I95. The tapes II5 are moreover apertured at intervals, as at II9, for positive engagement by tooth projections I29 on the roll heads I95; and are provided at lengthwise intervals with studs I2I that. extend upward into retaining grooves I22 formed longitudinally of the bottoms of the guide-ways II3, see Figs. 26 and 27. The distal ends of the guide bars II 2 are curved upwardly as at 'l23 -(s'ee Figs. 2; 7 and 23) to avoid interference with the movements of the needle bar 8;. and the tapes I I5 terminate in rearwardly-open spring hooks I24'for engaging diametrically-reduced ends of the welt rod R, as and for a purpose also later explained. Fast on the roller shaft I9I at one end of the machine is a drum I25 whereto is secured one end of a weight rope or cable I21 which tends to rotate said shaft II in the d'rection of the arrow W in Fig. 28. The drum I 2 is provided as usual with a crank handle I28 and with slip ratchet means so that it can be turned in the direction of arrow U to wind up the weight cable I2'I in preparation for taking up the fabrics after the welts are turned.

Incident to welt turning, the rollers I99 are reversely turned to slack the welt fabrics by the means about to be described by reference now to Figs. 1, 7 and 8. This means is arranged to be actuated from another rotary cam I49 on cam shaft I through an arm I4I fulcrumed on a bracket I42 upstanding from the bottom frontal frame rail 6. The arm I4I carries a roller I43 which is shiftable into and out of the path of cam I49 by a fork lever I45 pivoted at I46 on said arm with its tail end maintained in engagement with another lug I97 on slide rod 42 by a spring I48. The downward movement of arm MI is limited by a stop abutment I49 adjustably supported by the bracket I42. A link I59 connects arm I III with a gear sector I5I which is free on another longitudinal shaft I52 of the machine and which meshes with a gear pinion I53 free roller shaft I III A spring-biased pawl I55 on the pinion I53 is adapted to cooperate with a ratchet wheel I56 fast on roller shaft I9I when the gear sector I5I is actuated as later on explained to reversely rotate said shaft during welt closing.

The rollers on the cam follower arm's are shifted by means including transversely arranged rock shaft I69 (Figs. 1, 9 and 10) which has rota-' tive support in still another upstanding bracket I9I on the rear bottom frame rail 6 of the ma-.

chine. Pivoted at I62 to a collar I63 at the inner end of shaft I69 is an arm I94 which is subject to spring I66 to normally keep the roller I on said arm retracted from a rotary actuating cam I51 on the cam shaft I. Cam I61 has a circumferential ridge I68 with a cut-out I69 for clearance of the roller I65, one edge of said outout being beveled as at I19 for camming action with said roller. Affixed to the outer end of rock shaft I59 is an upright lever III which has a longitudinal slot I I2 for engagement by the laterally-projecting stud I 73 of a collar I'I5 set upon the rod 42, whereby the latter is shifted rightward in Fig. 10 upon actuation of the roller arm I54 by cam I61. Roller arm I 64 is adapted to be controlled from the usual timing chain (not illustrated) of the machine through a pull wire I'I'I connected to a drop lever H8 at one end of a short rock shaft I19 which is supported in bearings I89 along the boss of bracket I6I. A horizontal lift lever I 8! adjacent the inner end of shaft I79 underreaches a stud projection I92 at the back of roller arm I64. Accordingly, as wire IIl is pulled toward the left in Fig. 10, the roller arm I65 will be swung inward into cooperative relation with rotary cam I6I. In order to insure that the welt rod holder arms 93 are raised sufficiently out of the way of the welt bars as the latter are advanced in welt turning, we have devised safety means for the description of which Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 12 will be now referred to. As shown, this means comprises an arm I fast on the usual narrowing shaft I of the machine which shaft is rotatively supported in bearings (not illustrated) in the lower part of the machine framework. Pivotally connected to arm I85 is an upwardly-extending rod I 8'! which, adjacent its upper end, is guided for up and down move ment in an apertured plate I88 secured to the front bed 3 of the machine, and of which the upper end is bent at right angles as at I 89 to underreach a finger I99 on shaft 94 of the welt rod holder arms 83. Thus, as rod I 8'! is lifted, arms 83 are moved upward to raise the welt rod R out of the way of the welt bar I6 when the latter is advanced incident to welt closing as presently explained. In the event that the narrowing mechanism of the machine should fail to function for any reason the roller arm I64 (Figs. 9 and 10) will be prevented from being moved towardzi ma cam I 61; through afingei-l I91. on shaft I 86"; which underreaches a *stud: I 92 v at. the swinging zend .0f..a pendent arms I533 fixed upon: the shaftpI 62 of said rollerna-rm.

At Ithe :beginninggof each knitting .cyole' of the machinathet weltv bars" I S aresimultaneously moved; inwardly,- part Way; along theguides I 9 Figs: 2, .3 and: 13 "to the position A-.in (Fig: 143.120 the position: of Fig; 29 with their hooks I5 ent'erediibetweens the needles 9 at the :level of the ciearance between the sinkers- I and -=kn-ockove-rs II;. in: readiness to? receive and hook the" first coursezotfabris loops. This action. is initiated automatically through; pull upon :cable; ITI (Fig,- &) under. the influence of 1. the 3 control chain of the; machinawith- -t'he.1'- result that:-sha-f;t.= 951151 actuated and the. roller: I 85 on arm I'M thrust into?'theupathpo-iridge. I68-.=of.= rotary cam; Ihon main camshaft I as shown in broken lines. in

Figfgfit. During the ensuing-rotationlof "cam I GI, shaft: L60: isturnedolockwise :in Fig. 10 through asshortzdistance and shifter rod 4 2 thus amoved rightward. byra'rm I l I "to :a corresponding extent; Byrthissshift of rod 4-2lever5'9 (Figs: 3 and 4) is movedto' placethe rollers=53 on arms 5| 'into'the ranger-ofzac-am fiila on cam shaft l. Accordingly; during the current rotation .of camshaft I,- arm 51: isilifted" to 'the;posi'ti0n"H' in Fig. 3 with consequent: imp-artation ofthe. inward thrustto :the weltibarst I6 as above-stated through link- SI; arms; 62, 6=5" and; links 65:. In' advancing the welt-ha rs? It inthehook up phase, linksfis are lifted? to an. angular position as shown in Fig: 19;. Toavoidinterference withlinks fi fi at this time,.welt rod'zholder arms 83 are lifted through impartation of a'. clockwise: shift to: their" supporting, shaft 8-4". which 1 is induced by camming actioniofistudsfi] on arms- 65rwith. the forked levers: 95Lon'said' shaft affterv themanner clearly ShDWniin'FigI. 19: At .the completion "of ."the: cure rent:r0tation of the camshaft I, the pulllupon cable I TI is'relaxed to allow'spring l'lifi'iFig. to? retract'it-he' roller arm I64 from cam I67; whereupon the .parts in Figs; 3 and-4: all resume their'norma'l inactive positions.

The machineithereupon operates-in the usual way to produoe th-e wel-tfabrics. Afterthisknitting has proceeded to about the extent shown iIi' Eig; 1'7, tapes II'5 are advanced inguides II2 to'f-the position BTin Fig. 23 by manually turning the ware: rollers IEIIl' clockwiseimFig. 7. With this accomplished; shaft: 84 is turned by. means of hand lever: 88? to :swing': wel-tiro-d" holder arms 83 .inw-ar'd from the. retracted position of 'Fig. .15

toitheaposition of .[E'ig.11.7, to deposit the-Weltro ds.

RJIPDH the fabricsifii asshowninithe latter 111115? tration... As'the arms; 83 are.s'o*swung, rollers fillaon'rarms. 9| Willcami into. the l'lOOkiblghIJS-IOLIZ the.,;elements 9'2, and due to the influencezof the springs: 9 4 upon .saidelements, rods R'rwill press downwardupon the. fabrics F to tension the lat ter: With-the welt'rods Rnowin position; the rollers I60 7 are manually turned counterclo'cks wiseinFig. 7to draw back thetapes 'I lfifuntilthe clips I24 atzthexdi-stal'ends thereof engage the welt rods Rias' instanced intfullllines in Fig: 23.

At*'the completion of weltfabrics of a prede termined length', th'emain loam shaftissh'ogged axially underwcontrolof the chain 1 of the ma- (3111118335? in. ordinary fashioning: step of? the machine; Atlthezsame: time; cable. lllisagain' pulled as: in the: hookup" stage; previously-L ole;- scrib'ed, to cause; arm I64" (Figs.=9 and.10) toz be aotuatedronce'more;tondisplaoementiof its1roller s the: .highizrise the": above-vmeirtionedl shag-r; of cans. shaft ELI .camddmis hi ougl'itiintovthe plane-xiii-the.

roller I 43 z-onzfol-lowersarm 1 M I smthat the: :roller: release-2 mechanis f actuated cone currently: with 1 th' welt closing zadvanceroi the".

. welrt i-bars I8-aniis roller1-33;(Figs; 5. and- 16) on fol-' lowerrarme32z'zconcurrentlyshiftedinto qaosition to be: acted; upon by; rotaryoam? 3 0; ,as: about -towbe': explains-dz. Bya'otioniofir camz30: upon follower. arm: 32. shatti- 20s is. turned. CO'LID'tBR-BIQCKWISB:

.1 slightlyithro-ughe';tlieeintermediaryaconnections '43:

and 45 withisaidsarmrtozraisestheiweltiharguides; 1'3, totthesangularflorokenil'ineepositiomofiEig; .5i1as;-1 said; bar: I iszthmsti inwardly!bytheiac-tionfiof cams' (Eh 2.3.). IIIJDIIJIIIOIIOWBI'FBJIIIIZ.5']J. Duato.

of: cam':. 50,- the welt.- bars; I 6 are thlllSIliinward. to: a much greater: extent, this timeztham they; were during": thezlhookruppphase. previouslysdesori'bedi -As.:the.-bars. IB--are-. moved inward, they are? arrested; upon engagement of theguides: I 9", .=and,.1.by. the: excess athrust, .caused' to: be swung; about the;- axes: of said trunnions: through the. angular: -p;ositions;.- shown.- .i broken lines in Fig, 3-.

However; before: reaching: its extreme: inward position, eachwelt-har 'i-s-ishiftedt laterally"to the position 1. C in'i. Fig. 14'.- as its; trunnion; 23a: cams with .the: stud 27: fortalignmentr-of: its: hooks I 5; this time; with the; needles? 9: By action". of =cam Mil (Figt'T) upomtheefollowerr I41 5 the. geanisec tor; Hill is? swung; .by; motion: imparted; thereto throughithezmedium LofJi link: I 50;, approximately tn'rougha quadrantttotthe position :indioated'iin broken: lines: The pinion: I 53 isathereby rotated and its rotationioommunioatedby coaotion of' the pawlll .with1thearatchei7wheell 5 6; .tmthe rollers I as which; are. thus turned? to :tlie-csame': extent; In: this wayptheefabrics: fi'areerelieved." as the tapes: Hi2: are advanced; and; the: welt rods; R with them: concurrently r duringthesinwardi welt folding; andzcldsingrstroke: of the: weltbars: I 63 As: the cam. shaft? If oompletes'i ts'z current rota; tion' and;:is sl'ioggedqbackz to itszoriginal 1 position axially, the cable I11 isreleasedttorpermit the various. p antswin Figs-i=3 5. and :9. 'toi resumeiheir normal inactive positionszwith'z the welt a barssnow free .andia'gain fullyretraotech. AsQtheisector .I 51 returns; pinion: I53: turns with: it the: pawl; I 55 slidin'gly? over: thee teeth; of ratchet; wheeli I55 without:-impartationioi-ianygrotationttostheerollers' Fig}. 29 sl'i-owssxv the: relativez positions: assumed by a .n'eedle;:,a-;sinler and welt bar.-:ho-okidurizne' the hookeupi cycle; Thezneedle. 9 rise descending. to; draw the loop from; thenib :of:. thee reoeding sinker: I 0'. down;ontoothe:z-"hook z I 5-; of ft'lie: welt' bar I 6:. which isthenz retracted; as: hereinbef ore ex; plainedz.

Figs; 30-36 rshow"various i positions1:assumed by thei welt-I1 bar. during the welt closingzphaser. In Ei'g. 30 ,z the :sinker I 0:istfiillyz-retractedf and'ithe. hooki'l 5 positionediwithiits:kneeapoint'j ust slightly above. :the treoessi of'fthezknocloover: l -I .1. Trier-hook remains; in this: position until: the-2 sinker -"9 has advanced; to: hold? the: loop; thereon below the sinker-line: InrEig; 33L,..the:sinker: I II hasibeen advanced.over:theelhopsontthazhook: I 5:. and. the needle: pressed'iforwardii iirto the." groovev at?v the underside: of: thez hook: shanks said hook-"x having. assumed-:-azpositionimorenearly vertical? Ii'iitEig';

32, the needle 9 has risen slightly while in press with the hook I and has passed up through the loop on said hook I5. In Fig. 33, hook I5 has been raised out of press relation to the needle 9 and at the same time tilted rearward slightly while the needle has been raised in unison with it, the needle having passed partially through the loop. The needle then stops approximately in this position while the hook l5 rises to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 33. As soon as the hook has risen sufficiently for clearance of its groove from the needle, the hook will tend to push through rightward in Fig. 3, this action taking place when the hook reaches the thin portion of the needle. Fig. 34 shows the relative position of the parts just prior to disengagement of the hook from the now transferred loop. In Fig. 35, the hook has been lowered slightly approximately to the sinker line, and has receded somewhat further for release from the loop, while in Fig. 36, the hook has fully receded from the loop and is now entirely free of the fabric, whereupon the welt bar is Withdrawn to idle position.

After the welts are closed, the fabrics are drawn off during the ensuing knitting by pull of the straps II5 upon the welt rods R, said straps being wound about the end portions of the rollers I00, the shaft II'II is turned by the drum I25 (Fig. 28) under the influence of the weight cord I21. I In instances where there is insufficient room available to permit installation in machine of stop brackets like the one indicated at 5! in Figs. 3 and 4, we resort to the modification construction illustrated in Figs. 3'7 and 38. Here the cam follower arm 5i is provided with a pendent clevised projection I95 for journalling of a roller I96 which is adapted to ride upon the periphery of an auxiliary wheel I91 clamped to the cam shaft I alongside the cam 5 and which thus serves as a stop for the arm, the tread of said wheel being concentric with the shaft axis. In the modification, the roller 53 which is axially shiftable by means of the fork 59, is freely rotative with interposition of a pin bearing I98 upon aneccentric portion l99a of a pin I99 secured by a set screw 205 in the arm 5| by this arrangement makes possible the adjustment of roller 53 relative to the cam 50 as will be readily understood. If necessary or desired, a similar construction may of course be used for the cam follower arm 32 of Figs. 5 and 5.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In Welt turning mechanism for a straight knitting machine having a series of needles and a series of cooperating sinkers, said mechanism comprising a welt bar with hooks normally aligned with the needles and with slide shoes at opposite ends thereof; transversely arranged guide bars with supporting ledges for the slide shoes of the welt bar, and with stops at their inner ends to cooperate with trunnionsat the forward ends of the shoes for pivoting of the bar during welt closing; means for advancing the welt bar forwardly part way along the guides to receive the starting course of the knitting in its hooks and for advancing the bar to the full extent for welt turning; and means automatically operative as the welt bar is advanced as last stated to shift it laterally slightly to position its hooks centrally of the intervals between the needles, the last mentioned means including a lateral spot projection at the stop end of one of the guides to cam with the trunnion on the corresponding shoe of the welt bar, and a lateral 10 spot depression at the stop end of the other guide to receive the trunnion on the other shoe of said bar.

2. Welt turning mechanism, according to claim 1, wherein the stop ends of the guides are rounded; and wherein leaf springs on the shoes of the welt bar overreach the trunnions and cooperate with the rounded ends of the guides to prevent displacement of the bar as it is turned about the trunnion axes incident to transfer of the starting course of fabric loops on its hooks back to the needles in Welt turning. V

3. In welt turning and draw-off mechanism for a straight knitting machine having a series of needles and a series of cooperating sinkers, said mechanism comprising a welt bar with hooks; transversely-arranged guide means on which the welt bar is slidingly supported; means for advancing the welt bar on the guide means to receive the starting course of the knitting in its hooks and for yieldingly retracting it as the welt fabric is being formed; means for depositing a welt rod on the welt fabric forward of the welt bar after a portion of the welt fabric is knitted; means operative upon completion of a prescribed length of welt fabric for advancing the welt bar to transfer the starting course of the fabric back to the needles to close the welt; and separate means operative to thereafter draw off the fabric during continued knitting including a draw off roller with yielding means for turning it, metallic tapes connected to the periphery of the roller adjacent opposite ends thereof, said tapes havin apertures at lengthwise intervals adjacent one of their side edges for engagement by peripheral teeth on the roller ends, hooks at the distal ends of the tapes for engaging the opposite ends of the welt rod, and transversely-arranged bars with lateral slots in which the opposite side edges of the tapes are guided.

4. In welt turning mechanism for a straight. knitting machine having a cam shaft, a bar with needles, a cooperative series of slide sinkers, and a main cam shaft, said mechanism comprising a Welt bar with hooks; transversely-arranged guide means on which the Welt bar is slidingly supported; means for advancing the welt bar. on the guide means to receive the starting course of the knitting in its hooks and for yieldingly retracting it as the welt fabric is being formed; means for depositing a welt rod on the welt fabric forward of the welt bar after a portion of the welt fabric is knitted; means operative upon completion of a prescribed length of welt fabric for again advancing the welt bar to transfer the starting course of the fabric back to the needles to close the welt and for withdrawing said bar after the transfer has been effected; and means for automatically lifting the welt rod holder means clear of the path of the welt bar during the second advance of the latter.

5. Welt turning mechanism, according to claim 4, wherein the lifting means comprises an arm on the fulcrum axis of the welt rod holder means; and means actuated from the cam shaft of the machine to cooperate with'said arm to eifect the lifting.

6. In welt turning mechanism for a straight knitting machine having a cam shaft, and a series of needles and a series of cooperating sinkers, said mechanism comprising a, welt bar with hooks; transversely arranged guide means on which the welt bar is slidingly supported;

means actuated from the cam shaft of the machine during a normal knitting phase for admeet-gees vancing :the welt barson the gui'de 1 means atto recei-ve the -starting course of the 1 knitting its hooks and for yieldingly retracting it as the welt 'fabric isibeingformedg meansifor depositing a welt rod-upon the welt fabric forward of the welt loar-aftera portion "of the welt fabric is knitted; means actuated from-the cam shaftupon axial shifting of the latter as in a narrowing phase of the machine uponcompletion of =a prescribed' -length of welt fabric to a'dvance the welt bar asecon'd time to close the welt and toretract it after transfer'of the starting'course'back to the needles; and safety -means 'to prevent actuation of the welt bar advancing means in the event of =maloperation of the narrowing mechanism.

*7. In -welt turning and *draw-off mechanism for a straight knitting -'machine having a cam shaft and, aseries of-needles and *a ser-ies of-cooperating sinkers, sai'd'mechanism comprising a welt bar'with hooks transversely-'-arranged-guide means on which I the '"welt bar is slidingly "supvported; meansactuated from the camshaft for advancing the welt bar ion the "guide -means to receive-the starting course orms-knittingin its hooks-and for yieldingly retracting it" as the welt fabric is' formed ymeans for depositing a weltrod on the welt fabric forward of the Walt bar after a .-portion of' the'welt fabric is'knitted; 'means'actuate'd upon axial shiftingiof" the cam-shaftas'in a narrowing phase .of' themachine tQJadVancethe weltbar totransfer the starting 'course'of the fabric back to the needles 'ItO close the "welt, the lastmentioned means including an-arm with'a roller thereon and means forshiftingthei'roller into the range of a rotary cam on the cam shaft; an'dsafety means including a stoparm on a shaft associated with the narrowing 'mechanismfor restraining said roller arm to prevent shifting of the roller thereon into ,the range of the aforesaid cam in the event of 'maloperation of the narrowing mechanism.

*8. Welt turning mechanism. according to claim 1, wherein the welt bar advancing means includes alrotary cam on the cam shaft, a wheel alongside ,the cam onthe cam shaft having a'tread concentric withthe shaft axis, a roller on'th'e armlnormally riding onttheitread of thewheel, apinrotatively, adjustable inthe arm and having a proj,ecting eccentric end portion, and a roller axially shiftable "on said eccentric portion of the .pinintothe path of theaforesaid cam.

19. Welt'turning,mechanism according to claim 1,,furthercomprising means for imparting a'lift movement to the welt'bar as it is advanced, said means'including a rotary .cam on the cam shaft, a wheel alongside the cam'on'the camshaft having a tread concentric with :the shaft axis, :a roller on the arm normallyriding*onthe'tread of the wheel, apin rotatively adjustable inlthe arm and having a projecting eccentric endportion, and a roller axially shiftable on said'eccentric portioniof'the pin into the upath'of the aforesaid cam.

$10. 'In welt i turning "mechanism "for a straight knittingmachine having aseries of needles'and a series of cooperatingssinkersp said: mechanism comprising a welt bar with hooks; "transversely-- arranged guide mean-s whereon the welt bar is slidingly supported; means for advancing the welt bar on the guide means to -receive thestarting course of the knitting inits hooks and for yieldingly retracting-lit as the welt-fabric is' being formed; weltrod holder means swingableforwar'dly "from a "retracted position about -*a"'hor-izontalaX-is to deposit -the'welt ro'dupon-the welt fabric forward of the 'welt bar and 1 means influential upon said helder means 'to maintainthe Weltbar yieldingly depressed until the desire'd length r of welt fabric -'is knitted, including =-a spring-biased element fulcrumed about a fixe'd pivot axis, said element having a cam notch to cooperate with astud projection-on anarmsecured to the pivot "axis of "said welt rod h'older means as the latteris swung todepositthe'rod.

11. In welt turning tan-d draw oif :mechanism for a straight knitting machine "having a series of needles and a series:ofcooperating-sinkers, said mechanism comprising a 'welt bar .with hooks; 'transversely arranged "guide L-means on which the welt bar isslidingly supported; means for advancing the "welt bar .on the guide" means tov receive the. starting course :of the knittingnn its hooks and fonyieldingly retractingitias the welt fabric is being formed; meansfor depositing a Welt rod on the welt fabric forwardofrthe welt .bar after a, portion "of the welt "fabric 'is knitted; means operative upon completion. of, a prescribed length of .welt fabric for advancing the welt'bar to transfer ithestarting wcoursenof theffabric b-ackfto the-needles totcloseithe welt; and, separate vmeansvopera'itivie to thereafterdraw off otheufabric during continuedrknittingincluding .a draw-off ,roller with yielding rmeans -for turning it, metallic tapes connected .to the periphery of the roller adjacent .opposite ends thereof, .said tapes having apertures =at lengthwise intervals adjacent-tone .of their v.side .edges for: engagementby -peripheral teeth 'onthe; roller ends, hooks at the distal ends ot" "the tape for engaging the opposite ends of .the.weltzrod, transversely-arranged hars with; lateral. slots in which the opposite -side,edges;of .theetapes areguided, and longitudinallyspacedestuds on:the tapes=.en-

gaged with lengthwise grooves offset from --the slots in theguide barsfor retainment .of :the tapes in said slots.

,PETER J. ,SCHOENSTER. -,MAXv .E. ,EBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following 1. references are of record i in the file :of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATEN TS Number 'Name Date 2,183,575 ..Lieberknechtt. Dec.,19,4939 2,295,512 -Bitzer t Sept. 48, 19.42 2,362,485 lHofmann-etal -Nov. 14,1944 2,376.26? Meyer .May 15, 1945 

